When we with loving hands laid back the earthThat was for moments short to couch thy formWe did not bid a last and sad farewell,But only 'Rest ye well.'

Then with this humble, heartfelt epitaphThat pays thy many virtues sad acclaimWe marked this spot, and, murm'ring requiem,Moved on to Westward."

I pause this day each year to reflect on some missing friends - and I'm sure everyone in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps has them by now, and raise a glass and think of them - and do my best to honor their memory.

I would write that we should thank God each day that such men lived; there have, of course, been a number of women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror. As of this morning, there have been 93 of them.

I am so grateful and honored to have the privilege of having served beside all of them, of all ranks, male and female, and to have saluted the same flag.